COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 08, 2010

MOTION NO.7

MOTION: Councillor D. Keating

That this Council requests the Manager to produce a detailed report for discussion as to how South Dublin would benefit from the services of those who could engage in important community services instead of facing prison sentences, including working in the removal of graffiti works as recently carried out in other Local Authorities through the Probationary Services, and that further consideration would be given as to how other environmental improvement works in other departments including Parks, Environmental Services, Cemetery Maintenance etc., could also be included in this programme.

REPORT:

The Environmental Services Department has for some times been working in partnership with the Probation Services to enhance the response to graffiti.  This partnership involves the identification of specific public areas by the public, their elected representatives or Council staff of areas where graffiti has defaced property.  These areas are then inspected by local Anti-Litter Wardens and subsequently referred to either the Council's Graffiti Removal Crew or the Probation Services depending on the specific location or type of surface involved.  The partnership has been working very well throughout 2009.  Of the 327 graffiti removals in the county 138 were removed through the initiative with the Probation Services.

Regular review meetings are held to assess progress in this pilot and at the most recent meeting in December this subject of a similar motion was discussed with the Probation Services staff to see what resources would be available and possible areas for consideration including parks.  There is a general willingness to expand their area of remit but this will be subject to specific areas being identified in the context of the employee relations framework.  There is, however, a restructuring process commencing within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which will impact on management of Probation Services resources and which will inform future developments.